Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others

Rosa Parks

TODAY'S ACTION

Listen to your inner voice and focus on your purpose

TODAY'S QUOTE

Life's disappointments can be called speed bumps, things you have to get over to enjoy the rest of life's journey

Author Unknown

HAPPY WEDNESDAY

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day ! Today is supposed to be a little warmer yet. The snows of Monday should be all gone today. This evening I’ll be going to church . We will receive ashes on our foreheads to remind us that we were made from dust and to dust we will return. The ashes are from burnt palms from last year’s Palm Sunday Celebration.

Now I know I really have to get busy painting Easter Eggs. Only about 6 weeks to go! Really only 5 as we’ll have our family celebration one weekend early.

I will be putting a picture of the March purse on my journal page this morning so you can see it!

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way!

TODAY IS...ASH WEDNESDAY

The beginning of Lent, a time of penance leading to Easter Sunday. The date of Ash Wednesday changes year-to-year because the date of Easter is determined each year as the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon.

Thismeans that Easter Sunday can be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. If you count carefully on a calendar, you’ll note that Ash Wednesday is actually 46 days before Easter. This reflects our Christian awareness that every Sunday is the Lord’s Day, a celebration of His Resurrection, the joyful commemoration of His Easter victory over sin and death

TODAY'S TRIVIA

To the Romans, March was Martius, named for Mars, the god of war. On the ancient calendar, March was the first month of the year until 46 B.C. In England it was the first month until 1752

March's birthstone: bloodstone or aquamarine.

March's flower is the daffodil or jonquil.

Today is National Share a Smile Day.

1790: Congress authorized the first U.S. Census

1803: Ohio becomes the 17th state

1937: U.S. Steel raised workers' wages. Steelworkers received a raise to $5 per day, about 40¢ per hour

1961: President Kennedy established the Peace Corps

1962: Former newspaper reporter turned Kresge store manager Harry Cunningham opened the first Kmart in a suburb of Detroit

TODAY'S SMILE

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,

If you can understand why your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you, through no fault of yours something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, or politics, then my friend...

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians. 4:17-18

It is said that God did not give us a road map. He gave us a guidebook. He promises to follow along with us in life. God is with us on the Journey. He allows us to make decisions. He will guide us in these decisions if we ask Him.

We may not always be on plan 'A', but we can still travel in God's way. If God had given us a complete road map, we might put our faith in the map, and not in Him

From Daily Miscellany

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Heavy bedclothes cause restlessness and weariness

19 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Monday, February 27, 2006

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

Anonymous

TODAY'S ACTION

Balance your daily duties with the beauty and joy of every moment

TODAY'S QUOTE

We load up on oat bran in the morning so we'll live forever. Then we spend the rest of the day living like there's no tomorrow

Lee Iacocca

HAPPY TUESDAY!

LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY !

More snow here…about 2 inches I think. It won’t be long and the snow will be history for another year. It’s so nice to think about Spring coming. According to the calendar it’s just 20 days away.

We know that we could still see some snow til April but it won’t be the cold icy snows of January and February.

Quiet evenings at home this week except for going to church tomorrow evening for my ashes and then Thursday after work go for a hair cut. The perm will be all cut off with this one…in a few weeks I’ll probably go and get another one. It sure makes it easier to control this gray hair of mine.

Work is finally picking up. I mean we have men working this week, so that is good! That means I’ll have some actual work to do ! It makes the days go by faster !

Take good care all ! Have a great day !

Another wonderful one on the way !

TODAY IS...FLIP A PANCAKE DAY

Pancake Day is Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent. In England, housewives always hurried to the church when the bell rang to be "Shriven" for their sins.

But in 1445, a housewife in Olney started her pancakes late. They weren't done when the bell rang, so she ran to church carrying her griddle with her. This started an annual event in England - a pancake race over a 415 yard course from the "town pump" to the church.

This tradition moved to Liberal, KS in 1950 to make it an international race between the two towns

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons sugar

2 cups flour, sifted

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the ingredients in the order given. Drop the batter by spoonfuls on a preheated greased griddle or skillet. Brown on both sides over low heat

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, Bursting Day, and Mardi Gras

1820: Illustrator and cartoonist Sir John Tenniel born in London, England. He is best remembered for his illustrations for Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass

1827: The first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co., was incorporated

1953: Scientists James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes

1983: The long-running TV series "M-A-S-H" ended after 11 seasons on CBS with a special 2.5-hour finale that was watched by an estimated 121.6 million people

TODAY'S SMILE

A gent from Chicago was on a fishing vacation up north in the Wisconsin woods. He was out fishing on a lake in a small boat and not having much luck. He noticed a man in another small boat that was close by, open his tackle box and take out a mirror. Being curious the man rowed over and enquired, "What is the mirror for?"

"That's my secret way to catch fish," replied the other man.

"I Shine the mirror on the top of the water. The fish notice the spot of sun on the water above and they swim up to the surface. Then I just reach down, net them and pull them into the boat."

"Wow! Does that really work?" exclaimed the guy from Chicago

"You bet it does." was the response. "Would you be interested in selling that mirror? I'll give you $50 for it." offered the big city gent.

"Well, okay." said the country guy. After the money was transferred, the city fisherman asked, "By the way, how many did you catch this week?"

The country local, grinned and said, You're the sixth

TODAY'S WORD

vit·ri·ol·ic adjective.

1. Of, similar to, or derived from a vitriol. (a.extreme bitterness and hatred toward somebody or something, or an expression of this feeling in speech or writing. b. chemistry a glassy metallic sulfate such as copper sulfate or iron sulfate)

2. Bitterly scathing; caustic: vitriolic criticism

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed

I Peter 1:13

Today's scripture comes from a letter Peter wrote to Christians scattered throughout the land. They were going through hardships, and Peter wrote to encourage them.

If you are facing trials, Peter's advice is worth considering: Prepare your mind for action

Be self-controlled

Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed

He is with you in all you do.

From Daily Guideposts

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Thunder in February means poor sugaring

20 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Mardi Gras is French for “fat Tuesday”--the final feasting before the fasting of Lent, which begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.

Fat Tuesday is also called Shrove Tuesday, a name that comes from the practice of shriving--purifying oneself through confession--prior to Lent.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

One thing life taught me -- if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you.

Eleanor Roosevelt

TODAY'S ACTION

Surround yourself with things that inspire you.

TODAY'S QUOTE

You'll learn more about a road by travelling it than by consulting all the maps in the world.

Author Unknown

HAPPY MONDAY!

Back to work and back to snow they say! About mid-week it should warm up and rain! Yesterday I pretty much stayed in after church and tried to keep warm – bitter cold day.

The 2 cats that rule the roost here were right at my side everytime I sat down. They make sure I pay attention to them.

Sunday heard from DS#1,DS#4 and DS#6 and I saw DD and DS#5 at church. Everyone is fine ready for Spring. DS#4 is busy getting ready to move and start his new job on March 6th.

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way!

TODAY IS...BLUE JEANS DAY

Jeans was a blue twilled cotton cloth milled in Geneo, Italy. The French weavers called the town "Genes" - and that's how we got the word "jeans". Blue jeans were invented by Levi Strauss during the Gold Rush of the 1850s. Selling canvas to the miners, he started stitching it into pants. In the 1860s, he replaced the canvas with denim. Worn as work pants for years, they became fashionable in 1935 when a model wore then in Vogue magazine.

TODAY'S TRIVIA

1827 1st Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans LA

1879: The artificial sweetener Saccharin was discovered at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore

1995: The movie "Forrest Gump" won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a Best Actor Oscar for Tom Hanks

TODAY'S SMILE

MEMO: IT SYSTEM UPGRADE

Dear All, As part of our on going cost-cutting exercise, we are proposing a major change to our Desktop policy and a further move towards a recycling and paperless office. The goal is to remove all laptop computers by March 2006 and all desktop computers by April 2006.

Instead, everyone will be provided with an Etch-A-Sketch.

Technical Justification: 1. No boot-up problems 2. No technical glitches keeping work from being done. 3. No more wasted time reading and writing emails. 4. No more worries about power cuts. 5. Budget savings on upgrades unparalleled 6. No danger of viruses and worms infecting our data.

Frequently Asked Questions from the Etch-A-Sketch Help Desk:

Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen.

...in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11

There are times when we feel as shaky and anxious as if we were walking a tightrope with no safety net below. Those are the times to remember the words in today's scripture. The more you trust God, the more he is able to guide you to the answers you seek I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me.

With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about

Henry Ford

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

After a storm comes a calm

21 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Searching for that big happy moment in life, how many special little moments we let pass us by?

Anonymous

TODAY'S ACTION

Dare to be healthy, live a long time and never think of old age

TODAY'S QUOTE

The most reliable way to anticipate the future is by understanding the present

John Naisbitt

HAPPY SUNDAY !

I’m off to church this morning for some much needed R&R . I know that when I come home I’ll be refreshed and renewed for another week ! So much to do and so little time, but with the good Lord’s help, it will get done and what isn’t done – didn’t need to be done anyway!

I hope you all take the time to refresh your Spirit today !

We all need it.

Have a great day! Another wonderful one on the Way !

Please pray for God's protection of our troops

and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior

TODAY IS...RING FINGER DAY

The custom of wearing a wedding ring on the third finger (not counting the thumb) of the left hand was started by the Greeks in the 3rd century B.C. - by mistake! The physicians wrongly believed that a vein ran from this finger to the heart. They called this the "vein of love" and considered this the logical place to wear a ring symbolizing love

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Carnival Week, or Fasching, or Pancake Week, or Shrovetide begins today Italy, Germany, Austria, the U.S. and many other places throughout the world

1907: Congress voted itself a pay raise, bringing salaries for both senators and representatives to $7,500 a year

1919: Congress established Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The Grand Canyon National Park covers 1,218,375 acres. It measures 18 miles across, over 200 miles long and is a mile from its top to its bottom.

1930 1st red & green traffic lights installed --Manhattan NYC

1951: The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting a president to two terms of office

TODAY'S SMILE

George heard a rumor that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays. So, on his 21st birthday, George and his good friend Brian headed out to the lake.

"If they did it, I can too!" he insisted.

When George and Brian arrived at the lake, they rented a boat and began paddling. When the got to the middle of the lake, George stepped off of the side of the boat... and nearly drowned.

Furious and somewhat shamed, he and Brian headed for home. When George arrived back at the family farm, he asked his grandmother for an explanation.

"Grandma, why can I not walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?" The feeble old grandmother took George by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained,

That's because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January... you were born in July, dear

TODAY'S WORD

epistolary • \ih-PIST-uh-lair-ee adjective

1 : of, relating to, or suitable to a letter 2 : contained in or carried on by letters 3 : written in the form of a series of letters

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord -- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here -- has sent me, so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit

Acts 9:17

It took courage for Ananias to obey the Lord's command to go to Saul, for Saul (later known as Paul) was known to be an enemy of the Christians. But Ananias followed the instructions and great events followed because of his obedience.

When you, like Ananias, are open to God's guidance, and courageous enough to step out in faith, LIFE can become exciting and productive

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Don't turn a chair with one foot as the pivot. It will lead to family quarrels

22 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

I’m going to go out to the folks house after I pick up some Paczki (polish donuts) this morning. Kiedrowski’s Bakery in Amherst makes them every year before Lent. They are very sweet and melt in your mouth. Fillings include Lekvar (prune butter), poppyseed, and apricot. They are simply delicious. And that is the way the bakery advertises them every year.

My mom is moving around a little better, but still a little shaky and unable to do much . I heard from DS#6 yesterday and he had the cist on his head removed and all is fine ! Thank the good Lord!

Take good care all !

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...GO BOWLING DAY

The Egyptians were rolling a ball to knock down targets more than 7,000 years old, but modern day bowling is a very American sport. The Dutch in New Amsterdam (New York) were bowling at ninepins in 1650. Their alley was a long plank only about a foot wide, so... lots of gutter balls

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is National Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day

Carnival begins today in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world's great festivals, through Tuesday

1793: George Washington convened the first U.S. Cabinet meeting -- at his home.

1862 Paper currency (greenbacks) introduced in US by President Abraham Lincoln

1956: Elvis Presley scored his first #1 country song with "I Forgot To Remember To Forget." Less than a month later "Heartbreak Hotel" would also hit #1

TODAY'S SMILE

Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on, one sits on one's bottom

Taki

Timmy was a little five year old boy that his Mom loved very much and, being a worrier, she was concerned about him walking to school when he started Kindergarten. She walked him to school for a couple of days but when he came home one day, he told his mother that he did not want her walking him to school everyday. He wanted to be like the "big boys." He protested loudly, so she had an idea of how to handle it.

She asked a neighbor, Mrs. Goodnest, if she would surreptitiously follow her son to school, at a distance behind him that he would not likely notice, but close enough to keep a watch on him. Mrs. Goodnest said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well so she agreed.

The next school day, Mrs. Goodnest and her little girl, Marcy, set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, the little friend of Timmy noticed that this same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally, he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us all week? Do you know her?"

Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yea, I know who she is." The little friend said, "Well who is she?" "That's just Shirley Goodnest" Timmy said. "Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?"

"Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in it, the prayer psalm says, Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life." so I guess I'll just have to get used to it.

Well yesterday was another 10 hour day at work-nobody there but me…Maybe today they’ll be back from their conference?? We’ll see…

Weatherwise, we got up to 50 degrees yesterday, but it is supposed to be back in the 20’s by this weekend !

BRRRCHILL!

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...DINOSAUR DAY

The word "dinosaur" was invented by Sir Richard Owen in 1842 to describe "fearfully great reptiles" - and there were only three dinosaurs known at the time. Scientists have now identified more than 700 speicies in many shapes and sizes. They lived from 225 million years ago up until about 65 million years ago. But, actually they live on today as the birds

1868: The first parade to feature floats celebrated Mardis Gras in Mobile, Alabama

1916: Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" opened in New York

1938: The first nylon bristle toothbrush was made in Arlington, New Jersey

1940: Frances Langford recorded one of the classic songs of all time – and one that would become a Walt Disney trademark. "When You Wish Upon a Star" was recorded on Decca Records during a session in Los Angeles

TODAY'S SMILE

One Spring afternoon, I came home to find two little girls on the steps of my building. Both were crying hard, shedding big tears. Thinking they might be hurt, I dropped my briefcase and quickly went over to them. "Are you all right?" I asked.

Still sobbing, one held up her doll. "My baby's arm came off," she said. I took the doll and its disjointed arm. After a little effort and luck, the doll was again whole. "Thank you." came a whisper.

Next looking into the tearful eyes of her friend, I asked, "and what's the matter with you, young lady?"

She wiped her cheeks. "I was helping her cry," she said

TODAY'S WORD

mas·ti·cate verb

1. To chew (food). 2. To grind and knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk

Acts 3:6

Peter and John were going into the temple and a crippled beggar asked them for money. The crippled man was indeed blessed by Peter's answer. We modern-day Christians may not be able to perform miracles, as did Peter and John, but God knows what is needed. If we are available, he will guide us to give what we have. From Daily Guideposts

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

To cure hiccups, pant like a dog

24 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Yesterday we made it to the high 30’s and today more warm weather changing to rain later in the day. I heard through the grapevine that one of my bosses should be back to work today. Maybe I’ll get in an 8 hour day instead of a 10.

I’m going to try to do a little house blessing this evening and a little more tomorrow night so that I won’t get behind by spending Saturdays with my folks. No one is here but me and the critters so there isn’t much to do anyway.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...Little Lulu Day

Little Lulu was created by Marjorie Henderson Buell. It started as a single-panel cartoon in the Saturday Evening Post February 23, 1935. Little Lulu continued to be featured weekly through 1945. That same year, Western Publishing Company turned her into a character that starred in comic books, coloring and activity books, records, games, puzzles, dolls and sewing cards

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is National Chili Day Tootsie Roll Day - Leo Hirschfield brought the recipe for Tootsie Rolls from his native Austria. He made the candy bits in his kitchen behind his candy store, where he sold the rolls for a penny each

Today is National Banana Bread Day

1939: At the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, Walt Disney received eight Academy Awards for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: one regular-size Oscar and seven miniature ones

1954: The first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2002: The first McDonald's drive-through for snowmobiles opened Pitea, Sweden, about 80 miles south of the Arctic Circle. There were 6,000 snowmobiles registered in Pitea. Snowmobiles in Sweden must follow specially marked tracks and their owners can be fined if they drive off the track.

TODAY'S SMILE

There's a little fellow named Junior who hangs out at the local grocery store. The manager doesn't know what Junior's problem is, but the boys like to tease him. The boys say he is two bricks short of a load, or couple fries short of a happy meal.

To prove it, sometimes the boys offer Junior his choice between a nickel and a dime. He always takes the nickel, they say, because it's bigger.

One day after Junior grabbed the nickel, the store manager got him off to one side and said, "Junior, those boys are making fun of you. They think you don't know the dime is worth more than the nickel. Are you grabbing the nickel because it's bigger, or what?"

Junior said, "No sir, you see if I took the dime, they'd quit doing it!"

TODAY'S WORD

cu·bi·cle noun

1. A small compartment, as for work or study. 2. A small sleeping compartment, especially within a dormitory.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter alienates a friend

Proverbs 17:9

Friendship is a golden chain,

The links are friends so dear,

And like a rare and precious jewel,

It’s treasured more each year

Helen Steiner Rice

Today write a letter to someone—a letter of appreciation, greeting, congratulations, get well wishes, or cheer

From Daily Guideposts

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Add baking soda to your running bath water to relieve dry, itchy skin

25 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves

William Arthur Ward

HAPPY WEDNESDAY !

It was a pretty nice day out yesterday, a little sun and in the 30’s. I stopped by my folks on the way home and my Mom seemed a little better. My sister had fixed dinner and I ate there and even got some leftovers for my lunch today !

This evening I have prayer group. The week is going by pretty fast.

Take good care all !

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way!

TODAY IS...POLAR BEAR DAY!

Polar bears are the world's largest land carnivore. A male stands between eight and nine feet tall and weighs between 750 and 1400 pounds. They only live in the circumpolar North, and there are five countries where they are found: U. S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway

Boy Scouts Founder Day - Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, was born on this day in 1857,in London, England

1732: The first U.S. president, George Washington, was born at his parents' plantation in the Virginia Colony

1879: Frank Winfield Woolworth opened the nation's first 5-cent store in Utica, New York

1931: Maurice Chevalier recorded "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" for Victor Records in New York City

TODAY'S SMILE

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older... Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject andon every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end

TODAY'S WORD

sal·u·tar·yadjective.

1. Effecting or designed to effect an improvement; remedial: salutary advice.

2. Favorable to health; wholesome: a salutary climate

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Jesus said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's

Luke 20:25

If you follow the command of our Savior -- Love your neighbor as yourself-- you'll have no trouble in giving to your government what is due, and in giving to God what is his.

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

A copper penny taped to your navel is said to cure seasickness

26 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways

Oscar Wilde

HAPPY TUESDAY !

I think my brain got frozen yesterday. I got to work and looked at the calendar and discoverd I had an appointment right after work with our accountant to have my taxes done. Well, all my tax stuff was still at home. Thankfully DD wasn’t working so she went to my house and picked up the paperwork and brought in to work for me. Yeah !

That’s all done and I don’t owe any money either. That’s always good news.

Today I think it’s supposed to get a little warmer. I hope my brain thaws out and works a little better. I’ll be stopping by my folks on the way home from work today. My sister has been taking good care of them and spending the days at their house. Thank the dear Lord she can do that. I’ll spend Saturday with them so she can do some of her own things.

Take good care all !

Have a great day ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS...BARLEY PUDDING DAY

Barley is a hearty grain high in protein and carbohydrates. It is most often seen in soups or stews and usually compared to rice. Using it to make pudding is a traditional Irish method that turns this grain into a delicious dessert

1 quart water

4 Tbsp Pearl barley

1 1/2 lb apples - peeled, cored and sliced

3 Tbsp sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1. Put the barley in the water and bring to the boil. Add the sliced apples and continue cooking over medium-low heat until the barley and apples are soft. 2. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Return mixture to the saucepan. 3. Add sugar and lemon juice. Bring to the boil again. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and then chill. Stir in cream right before serving.

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is Giving Day, a day to give someone something, even if it's merely encouragement

I've Got Your Number Day - This first telephone book was published on this day in 1878 in New Haven, Connecticut

1929: At the Victor Records studio in New York City, Jimmie Rodgers recorded 11 songs, including "Desert Blues" and "Any Old Time." He was already America’s first country music superstar

1931: Alka Seltzer is introduced. Oh, what a relief it is

1947: Edwin Land demonstrated his Polaroid Land camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in 60 seconds

TODAY'S SMILE

There was a little old cleaning woman that went to the local church. When the invitation was given at the end of the service, she went forward wanting to become a member. The pastor listened as she told him how she had accepted Jesus and wanted to be baptized and become a member of the church.

The pastor thought to himself, "oh my, she is so unkempt, even smells a little, and her fingernails are not clean. She picks up garbage, cleans toilets - what would the members think of her." He told her that she needed to go home and pray about it and then decide.

The following week, here she came again. She told the pastor that she had prayed about it and still wanted to be baptized. "I have passed this church for so long. It is so beautiful, and I truly want to become a member."

Again the pastor told her to go home and pray some more.

A few weeks later while out eating at the restaurant, the pastor saw the little old lady. He did not want her to think that he was ignoring her so he approached her and said, "I have not seen you for a while. Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes," she said. "I talked with Jesus, and he told me not to worry about becoming a member of your church." "He did?" said the pastor.

"Oh, yes" she replied. He said even He hasn't been able to get into your church yet, and He's been trying for years

You don't have to be afraid of praising God too much, unlike humans, God never gets a big head.

Paul Dibble

HAPPY MONDAY !

It was a chilly but very sunny day yesterday and DD and I had a good time President’s Day shopping. Today I’m off to work as usual . My bosses are at a conference in Las Vegas til Thursday. So it will be a long week of 10 hour days everyday.

Besides checking in with my folks, the only thing on the calendar this week is Prayer Group on Wednesday evening.

Gum drops are one of those old fashioned candies everyone still loves. They were probably first made in Germany as a jellied candy. Sugar cooked at a low temperature plus gelatin kept it soft. Molding it into the familiar drop shape gave it it's name. They were the early version of the Gummie candies so popular today.

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today in the U.S. is Presidents Day, honoring all former presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays are in February.

To honor George Washington, today is National Cherry Pie Day

1792: President Washington signed an act creating the U.S. Postal Service. Letters delivered up to 30 miles cost six cents to mail. For letters up to 150 miles, postage was 12½ cents.

1940: MGM released the movie cartoon "Puss Gets the Boot," the first starring Tom and Jerry, though Tom was called Jasper. Jasper and Jerry were nominated for an Academy Award, but lost. Eventually, Tom and Jerry won seven Oscars for their creators Hanna and Barbera

1962: Astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule

TODAY'S SMILE

One day in the Garden of Eden, Eve calls out to God, "Lord, I have a problem!" "What's the problem, Eve?"

"Lord, I know you've created me and have provided this beautiful garden and all of these wonderful animals, and that hilarious comedy snake, but I'm just not happy." "Why is that, Eve?" came the reply from above.

"Lord, I am lonely. And I'm sick to death of apples." "Well, Eve, in that case, I have a solution. I shall create a man for you." "What's a 'man', Lord?" "This man will be a flawed creature, with aggressive tendencies, an enormous ego and an inability to empathize or listen to you properly.

All in all, he'll give you a hard time. But, he'll be bigger and faster and more muscular than you. He'll be really good at fighting and kicking a ball about and hunting fleet-footed ruminants, and not altogether bad in the sack." "Sounds great," says Eve, with an ironically raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, well. He's better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. But, you can have him on one condition." "What's that, Lord?"

1. To reprove gently but earnestly. 2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. 3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 27:9

It is indeed pleasant to smell a refreshing aroma. If we are to believe the writer of Proverbs, our enjoyment of perfume is nothing new. Note that in today's scripture, the writer compares the sweet aromas to the pleasantness of a trusted friend.

You may have many acquaintances, but "the earnest counsel of a friend" is of great value. May we always be that sweet aroma for our friends and family

From Daily Guideposts

It is very difficult to live among people you love and hold back from offering them advice.

Anne Tyler

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Never descend to flatter or withhold a deserved compliment

28 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Saturday, February 18, 2006

The great thing about geting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been

Madaline L'Engle

TODAY'S ACTION

Today take time to observe and appreciate God’s amazing miracles

TODAY'S QUOTE

People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh and wish things would change. They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their minds that they are not quitters; they will not allow life's circumstances to push them down and hold them under.

Charles R. Swindoll

HAPPY SUNDAY !

AND HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY TO OUR PRINCE CHARMING !

May the dear Lord bless you !

After going to early church this morning DD and I will head to the Outlet Mall to see if we can find any good Presidents Day Sales. This has been a yearly event for us for quite a long while. We usually find some really neat bargains.

I have to work tomorrow, the official holiday, so we’re going today instead.

I spent the day with my Mom and Dad Saturday. I got there about 9 a.m. and came home about 10 pm. Mom is on bed rest for now and gets up only for short periods of time. She gets tired of laying down all the time too !

It snowed here yesterday and went down to the very low single figures during the night. At 10 when I came home last night, the news say it felt like -5 outside and the actually temp was 14 degrees. BRRRRCHILL!

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior

TODAY IS...CASABLANCA DAY

Casablanca is rated second (behind Citizen Kane) on the American Film Institute's Top 100 Greatest American Movies list. It was filmed in 59 days on the sound stages of Warner Bros. in 1942. The script was based on a play called "Everybody Goes to Rick's" that was never produced. With pages reaching the set as they were scheduled to be shot, nobody knew how the movie would end until the final days of production

TODAY'S TRIVIA

Today is National Chocolate Mint Day

Today is Straw Wrapper Appreciation Day, a day to remember how much fun it was to blow the wrapper off a straw

1878: Thomas Edison patented the first gramophone.

1985: Cherry Coke was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company . Soda jerks at drug store fountains had been mixing it since the 1930s.

TODAY'S SMILE

GETTING OLD

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

* Insanity is my only means of relaxation. *

Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

* Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets. *

You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster. *

Perhaps you know why women over fifty don't have babies: They would put them down somewhere and forget where they left them. *

* My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely. *

Every time I think about exercise, I lie down til the thought goes away.

* God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind, I will never die. *

It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

* The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. *

The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

* The nice part of living in a small town is that when I don't know what I'm doing, someone else does. *

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

* Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone.*

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

* Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness. *

You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.

* I don't mind the rat race, but I could do with a little more cheese.

* I had to give up jogging for my health. My thighs kept rubbing together and setting my pantyhose on fire. *

WOMEN: Remember, as we get older we no longer have hot flashes. We now have power surges. *

Amazing! You just hang something in your closet for a while, and it shrinks two sizes.

* Age is important only if you're a cheese. *

Freedom of the press means no-iron clothes.

* Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but she can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake. *

Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.

Life is full of tensions, stress, and grim realities.

When we need a break now and then,

how do we spell relief?

L-A-U-G-H !!

TODAY'S WORD

gla·cialadjective

1.a. Of, relating to, or derived from a glacier. b. Suggesting the extreme slowness of a glacier: Work proceeded at a glacial pace. 2.a. Often Glacial. Characterized or dominated by the existence of glaciers. Used of a geologic epoch. b. Pleistocene. 3. Extremely cold; icy: glacial waters. Synonym cold. 4. Having the appearance of ice. 5.a. Lacking warmth and friendliness: a glacial stare. b. Coldly detached: a glacial composure

TODAY'S REFLECTION

The Lord turned to Gideon and said, "Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you." But Gideon answered, "Lord, how can I save Israel from the Midianites? My family group is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family." The Lord answered him, "I will be with you. It will seem as if the Midianites you are fighting are only one man."

Judges 6:14-16

Sometimes we try too hard to assemble and polish the perfect tools to serve God. He doesn't need better tools. He's well-equipped to accomplish what needs to be done. And because the battles we face are spiritual, not temporal, the abilities and talents we add to our arsenal aren't necessarily the ones needed. What God desires is that we trust Him, and give Him what we already hold in our hands.

Annie Chapman

TODAY'S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

No weather is ill, if the wind be still

29 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart